About the Play WHAT BETTER WAY to relieve the stresses of the times than to share an evening of laughter-filled entertainment with four of Jamaica’s funniest and most widely acclaimed comedic actors in a super fun play, teeming with humor that resonates deep within the “laugh-bag”?
An outrageous, high-energy, super-charged comedy exploring the world of an unscrupulous realtor, his schemes of deception& the people who fall prey
SYNOPSIS: Ever heard stories of people buying property for a fortune only to find out when it’s too late that what they got isn’t what they thought they were getting? Watch Munair Zacca, Claudette Pious, Clive Duncan/Vernon Derby and Dainty Bellenfantie in an outrageous, high energy, supercharged comedy as they transform themselves into the characters who people the world of real estate business. According to Derek Figge, “Real Estate agents are trustworthy, ethical, professional business people”. On the other hand, some will lie, cheat, steal, de-fraud—you name it, in order to get a sale. “For Sale” signs put up by competing agents are going missing, but strangely, not Derek’s. It’s all about to come crashing down around his neck however when a disgruntled client decides to take things into her own hands and teach him a well-deserved lesson. In an effort to get Derek to tell the truth for once, his assistant finds an unusual solution. As a consequence, Derek transforms into a paragon of virtue, and against his ‘better’ judgement makes outrageous and hilarious confessions about the real truth behind his dealings. Oh dear, oh dear, he’s in trouble now! CHAIN REACTION explores the world of an unscrupulous realtor, his schemes of deception and the people who fall prey to the glitzy, glossy color brochures with their glowing descriptions of everything—even swamp land. CHAIN REACTION plays at Theatre Place, 8 Haining Road, New Kingston Wednesdays to Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays 6pm. For information regarding tickets, benefit performances, group bookings and tours, please call 364-4752 or 908-0040.
Biography
MUNAIR “SONNY T” ZACCA
MUNAIR ZACCA is generally regarded as one of the finest actors this nation has produced. His amazing theatrical career includes performing in such classics as Trevor Rhone's Old Story Time; Derek Walcott's Dream on Monkey Mountain; Dennis Scott's An Echo in the Bone; Barry Reckord's The White Witch of Rosehall; Louis Marriott's Bedward; and Shakespeare's Othello and The Tempest. Munair is the recipient of a number of Actor Boy Awards, including Best Actor in a Leading Role for Neil Simon's The Prisoner Of Second Avenue, directed by Pablo Hoilett; and Basil Dawkins' Feminine Justice. He received awards for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Moliere's The School For Wives, Patrick Brown's Puppy Love and Yazmina Reza's Comedy Art. The role for which Zacca is best known is unquestionably that of the ‘wiley’ SONNY T in the local Television Series Royal Palm Estate. His contribution to Jamaican screen include roles in the local Series Oliver, Fool's Paradise, Puppy Love and CPTC's production of his own Teleplay The Play's The Thing. He also appears in the Jamaican feature films Countryman, Glory To Gloriana and Shottas. Munair has also made his mark on the international scene through his participation in a number of productions including the Walt Disney mini-series Return to Treasure Island, Warner Brothers’ Going To Extremes and BBC's The Fight Against Slavery. Additional credits for Screen include the James Bond feature Live & Let Die and the horror movie Popcorn
Biography
CLAUDETTE PIOUS
CLAUDETTE
RICHARDSON-PIOUS is a Master Facilitator, Cultural Approaches Consultant, Counsellor, Poet, Actress, Mother, Child Rights and HIV/AIDS activist, who empowers young people and communities to strive for excellence. In 1979 she was the recipient of Tastee’s First Scholarship to the School of Drama now Edna Manley School of the Visual and Performing Arts, where she earned Diplomas in Theatre Arts and Drama in Education. Mrs. RichardsonPious holds a Bachelor of Arts as well as a Masters Degree in Social Work and is presently a PhD Candidate at the University of Cambridge. As a Child Rights activist, she devised a plan to use the Arts as a change agent in troubled communities. On June 17, 1997 Mrs. Richardson-Pious launched Children First— working with youngsters from troubled communities, enabling them to make positive contributions to society. Children First is now among the most respected groups of its kind in Jamaica. In 1998, under her stewardship the Agency received the Press Association of Jamaica award for Excellence in Community Development. Additionally, in 2005, the agency launched Jamaica’s first Mobile Reproductive Health and Information Service – The Bashy Bus - which focuses on providing young people with Adolescent Friendly Reproductive Health Information and Services. As an actress, Mrs. Richardson-Pious found her niche in Comedy. She and a group of budding comedians formed Jamaica’s first Comedy Club in 1992. She is popularly known as ‘Ms. Tiny” from the Tiny’s Place local TV sitcom and/or “Ms. Lickle” - from the LASCO Advertisement. Her outstanding talent has made her one of the most recognizable personalities of local theatre and for her outstanding work in troubled communities Mrs. Richardson-Pious was saluted in 2005, as the Gleaner Honour Awardee for Excellence in the Field of Entertainment and in 2008 by the Anthony N. Sabga Foundation as a joint Caribbean laureate for Public and Civic contribution to Jamaica’s children and young people. In addition Mrs. Richardson-Pious is also a 2008 First Global Bank Vision Honouree.
Biography
VERNON DERBY
VERNON
DERBY came to national prominence as an actor/comedian/MC while studying at the University of Technology during the 1970’s. In his first stint as a professional actor, Vernon received the Gold Medal and Best Supporting Actor Award for his role in Trevor Rhone’s School’s Out (National Festival). His theatre involvement includes roles in Pantomime’s Brashana O, Twelve Million Dollar Man, Stanley Fay Pularchie & P, Pack of Jokers, More Jokers and Pablo Hoilett’s production of Remember Me. Vernon was a member of the CAST, University Singers and NDTC Singers. He has hosted programmes on television and radio and has performed as an actor and stand-up comic in places such as Miami, New York, St. Vincent and Toronto. In the 1980s Vernon appeared as a guest performer on the memorable Millie Jackson Show. Vernon Derby is the National Director for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. He has played a significant role in public service, assisting in cultural matters and working with various citizens’ associations including the lobby group, The Citizens Initiative Organization. Despite his many duties, Derby’s passion for the arts drives him to make time to teach and work in the entertainment field. In recent times Vernon has been assisting in Jamaica’s Tastee Talent Competition through the general management of the contest. His involvement sees him wearing many hats, including that of MC, talent trainer and judge. Mr. Derby hosts his own call-in programme, “At Your Service” on Nation Wide News Network which airs on weekdays at 11AM.
Biography
CLIVE DUNCAN
A
TALENTED ACTOR with over 25 years experience in stage, radio and television, Clive Duncan has worked in a variety of theatre productions including Pantomime's Ginneral B and River Mumma, Pablo Hoilett’s production of I Take This Man and other productions such as Obeah Wedding, Fudgy, Pastor Heeden and Man and Woman Problem. In 2010 Clive won a nomination for Best Actor in the Actor Boy Awards for his role in The Love List directed by Pablo Hoilett. His television appearances include roles on famed comedy series Lime Tree Lane, (produced and directed by Pablo Hoilett) and CVM TV’s Royal Palm Estate (Cook "Parrot"/"Mansure Purru"). In 2010, Clive played the role of "Mr. Suave" in the reality TV show, Jamaican Barber Shop. His most recent works include that of Bittersweet Love in which he wears the hats of writer, producer, director and actor.
Biography
DAINTY BELLENFANTIE
DAINTY IS IN EXCELLENT COMPANY, as she hails from St. Mary, home of seasoned Jamaican actors Deon Silvera and Oliver Samuels. As an actress, Dainty was ‘baptized’ in Bashment Granny and received her ‘consecration’ in Shebada Come to Town. After strong performances in her first two commercial plays, Bellanfantie took on the role of “Nicole” in Paul O. Beale’s Like Father Like Son; and in 2011, worked alongside Volier “Maffie” Johnson and Christopher “Johnny” Daley as “Jenny” in Pablo Hoilett’s production Relatively Speaking. Though fairly new to the world of theatre, Dainty has dabbled in acting since high school. Bellanfantie is now a professional stage actress who has her eyes set on an early debut on the big screen.
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